Confronting the Racist Past/Approaching Racist Visual Culture Now

Name: Professor’s Name: Course: Due Date: Entry 1 Theme 1: Confronting the Racist Past/Approaching Racist Visual Culture Now The history of the United States is dark and some people would rather enjoy its image today rather than think of what the past hides. Michael Ray Charles is a man who believes that the past needs to be spoken of and shared in pieces of art. Looking at his art, one is taken through history and the pain of the racist past all but seem to be reborn. Charles himself said that “A lot of Blacks don’t want to see images like mine; perhaps they bring up too much pain.” He continued to say that, on the other hand, “A lot of whites are embarrassed and feel ashamed by them.” The above admission is but a summary of the past. The African American community went through a period of pain and trauma and reliving the moments for some is indeed heartbreaking. For the whites, it is a shameful past and one that they may not want to relive. However, Charles seems to believe that this particular history ought to be propagated because people are not fully healed. Looking at his works, I am reminded of how dark and heinous human beings can be towards each other. I am reminded that everyone has a dark side but people choose to exalt the side that showcases love, peace, kindness, and unity. I am reminded that all that I see around is not free and some people fought to make today’s world as it is. Others died, others lived in slavery and racially maligned societies and some never got the opportunity to see a different world. So, I believe Charles is right in that he is trying to share a history that people would rather forget. It is crucial for people to understand what happened so that the same mistakes will never be repeated. Entry 2 Theme 2: The Renaissance of Black Portraiture One name has to be mentioned whenever black paintings are mentioned: that name is Kerry James Marshall. In the 50s, black paintings were born and they helped to start something that continues to baffle people’s minds even today. Marshall decided to take the idea of black painting a little further and build something that will last for a long time. His works mirror something new regarding representation. For the most part, peop...